[Ultimate Guide] What Wine Goes With Tacos?
Taco Tuesday is a favorite among households and restaurants alike. Whether you’re going authentic Mexican tradition, Tex-Mex style, vegan, or throwing some ground beef on a tortilla that’s (Gasp!) not handmade, you deserve to serve a wine with it.
But what wine goes with re-fried beans? Cilantro? Pork?
We are here to soothe your worries and give you wine pairings for all your Taco Tuesday needs.
Garlicky Shrimp Tacos? Yessss!
Wine Pairing- Sauvignon Blanc
One wine has a true love affair with garlic. Although almost any wine will taste good with your shrimp, stick to a Sauvignon Blanc for true match made in seafood-wine heaven.
Serving up the perfectly cooked shrimp for your tacos is a skill you will have to master, too. Once you have the shrimp recipe nailed, serve on corn tortillas, with lots of pico de gallo and cilantro. A lemon garlic aioli will win points too!
Steak Tacos
Wine Pairing- Cabernet Sauvignon or a Malbec
Bringing out your Tex-Mex side I see. Well, you’re in luck. If you’re looking to add a little fajita flavor to your taco Tuesday, fry up a flank steak to your liking, and slice it up. Serve with bell peppers and mushrooms, or beans and rice, or all of the above.
Pour a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon or a Malbec. The higher tannins will break down and compliment your red meat.
Chorizo, Bro!
Wine Pairing- Monstant or a Shiraz, Zinfandel, or Pinotage
Spicy Chorizo tacos are pretty authentic Mexican. Pairing wines with this type of meat can be tricky.
You want to avoid heavy, oaky red wines which is kind of the opposite of steak. Instead, head for the sweeter choices like a recently bottled Spanish red like Monstant or a Shiraz, Zinfandel, or Pinotage. It’s all about balance on the palate.
Classic Mom Tacos
Wine Pairing- Chenin Blanc, or Riesling or Rosé
We see you, busy mama, and we love you. You’re late getting home from work and you think you have tomato and lettuce in the fridge along with a pack of tortillas and half frozen beef sitting in your fridge. You work tirelessly so make one more stop on your way home and treat yourself.
Pick up a bottle of off dry white like a Chenin Blanc, or Riesling. If you really want to treat yourself, grab your favorite Rosé.
All of these wines pair well with chili. Odd right, but the ingredients are similar for both recipes; chili powder, cumin, ground beef, sour cream… you get my point!
Vegan Tacos
Wine Pairing- Merlot or Zinfandel or off-dry Riesling
Whether you’re new to the vegan world, or you’ve been animal product free for years, you know the importance of a good meatless taco recipe.
Buffalo cauliflower tacos are my favorite when I am skipping meat and dairy, but there are other options like quinoa made to taste like taco meat (See wine for Classic Mom Tacos), and using re-fried beans as your protein source.
If you’re going the bean route, drink a Merlot blend that’s dry and oaked. However, if you’re spicing things up with buffalo sauce, you can try a Zinfandel or an off-dry Riesling, but if you want my honest opinion – skip the wine for beer in this case. Trust me.
Are you hungry yet? What wine would you pair with your favorite tacos? Let us know in the comments!
